Horse Appeal

ony of the Americas, more commonly referred to as the POA, is a popular and growing breed that was designed as a mount especially for young riders who were too big for a small pony but not ready for a full-sized horse. The small size of the POA makes it easy for parents to match a child to the proper pony. The Pony of the Americas is a distinctive pony breed that looks more like a small horse and possessing the attractive coloration of the Appaloosa. Their quiet disposition and gentle nature make them highly competitive in all equine disciplines. It is a rugged, athletic pony with the speed for games and jumping; strength for driving small carts; and the intelligence and patience for[..]

Are you up for a unique safari experience? Are you looking for close encounters with nature? Would you like to become one with the bush and wildlife? In the Kalahari Desert Reserve guests get treated to memorable horseback safaris for the whole family or as a romantic adventure for two. Horse rides take place across picturesque grassy plains and rolling Kalahari dunes with views across the desert landscape. Most guests are novice riders, and therefore there are horses that are suitable for riders with no previous riding experience. Children are welcome on all horse rides and this offers a very special African family safari experience. For children and adults alike, there is nothing like[..]

Due to the fact that today, nearly everyone has to be connected at all times, children rarely do activities with their brothers and sisters or moms and dads. Even with they do, they would rather text with their friends than talk to their loved ones about what is going on in their lives. An interactive adventure, like horseback riding lessons, is a wonderful, fun activity that can bring your loved ones together. Children will not be sending texts to their friends if they are busy taking care of or riding on a horse, and you are certain to get your kids to open up more if you are riding with them or performing necessary horse-related tasks together. You might want to consider getting your[..]

I am sure that there are a lot of horse lovers around the world, and that all of them would like to spend more time with these gorgeous creatures. There are a lot of horse stables where you can practice and learn how to behave around horses, and if you can afford one, you can keep one in your home. All horses are extremely sensitive, so you need to be extra careful while training them. One of the highly recommended training systems is the TTeam, developed by Linda Tellington-Jones, which is considered to be horse friendly, and most importantly available to everyone. It is especially suited to educating any horse who might have learning difficulties due to poor handling, injury or stress[..]

"The best place for him, Karen, is the feedlot - he's too far gone; he's so scrambled that he's not coming back". A trainer's comments seven years ago, after he watched while I tried in vain to stop my then 10 year old gelding, Lukas. "Downward transitions" were accomplished by veering towards a solid barrier and hanging on for dear life. He had become increasingly unmanageable and dangerous with each successive day. I had purchased him as a green project horse from a hunter barn, where he wasn't fitting in with the amateur program. Prior to that he had been in a back yard, neglected and malnourished. His racing career years before had been brief and unmemorable - 3 races with 3[..]

Horse jumps are designed and set up to test the abilities of both horse and rider. When your magnificent steed approaches his jumps, you want to know that he is going to safely clear it, and that you are going to ride him safely over the jump. Safety is assured (as much as possible) when you buy the jumping equipment from a reliable company. Safety is primary. After safety concerns, price is important. A company may guarantee that his company s equipment is sold to you at the lowest price. This includes costing less than any other manufacturer charges for similar quality jumping equipment. The design and detailing of the jump equipment is crucial. Jumps are manufactured out of wood or[..]

"Eclipsed by Shadow" centers around a teenager named Meagan Roberts who is a young equestrian. The story starts out in the present-day of the summer solstice, June 21, 2001, when a very unique horse is born. Meagan felt that a horse should name itself, so her foal became "Promise." Everyone around town seemed to be interested in this special palomino, especially her neighbor Eleanor Bridgestone. Ms. Bridgestone tells Meagan the tales of "The Great Horse" throughout history and seems to think that her horse is the next in line, but of the dark variety. "The Great Traveler, with mysterious powers to bring darkness to the world. Of course, we wouldn't be sure unless the Great Horse was[..]

Anyone who regularly rides trail on horseback will tell you that a good trail horse is worth his weight in gold. A common misconception is that if the horse isn't good enough for any other sport, he will still be fine for the trail. This is not necessarily the case. A good trail horse is born and trained as much as any other performance horse. Traits of a Good Trail Horse While most of the qualities that make a good trail horse are trained, there are a few conformational and personality traits that I feel are essential. I ride in the Rocky Mountains and, more often than not, I am leading a pack string. So I look for: - A calm disposition - Ability to get along with other horses - Good[..]

James Bart’ Bartholomew Cummings was born and raised in Adelaide on 14 November 1927. After his high school completion young Bart’, aptly named The Cup King in later years worked for his father at the Adelaide Horse stables. He loved the racing industry so much that in 1953 he took out his own training licence. His first Derby was won in 1958 with Stormy Passage. In the 51 years since Bart’ has continued to train stakes winners every single year. Why Bart’ is known as the Cups King: At the young age of 23 Bart’ first experienced the excitement and thrill of winning a Melbourne Cup. That was back in 1950 with the home-bred Comic Court. To date Bart’ success has seen him take[..]

What comes to mind when you think of horse racing? A few of the basics that I think of are the horse, the jockey and of course, the gambling. These are probably the most obvious but they each involve a lot of detail when it comes to making all of this possible. In this article, I will give you a little bit of information on the basics of horse racing. When it comes to the horses, Thoroughbreds are the main competitors in this sport. This breed of horse has a very rich bloodline, all Thoroughbreds today can be traced back to three stallions that were brought to England around the 17th century. These horses are known for their agility, and speed. They can cover more than twenty feet in one[..]

Here are some useful horse facts that you might not know: A hand is the unit of measure for telling how tall a horse is. A hand is four inches, and horses are measured from the ground to the withers, which is the point where their neck joins their shoulder. Most riding horses are between 15 and 16 hands tall. Drafters can be 18 hands tall. Ponies can be 13-14 hands or shorter. A Pony is not a small horse, it's a separate breed. Baby horses are called foals when they are born. If the foal is a boy, it's a colt. If it's a girl, it's a filly. Once a male is castrated, he is called a gelding. When foals are three years old, the female will be called a mare and the male will be called either[..]

A horse's nutritional requirements and his digestive system have not changed since the time he was first domesticated thousands of years ago. However, due to a lack of knowledge, convenience considerations and an over-zealous adoption of the scientific claims of the feed industry, the way we feed a horse has changed dramatically. Often, these methods contradict what natural horsemanship tells us about feeding and result in health problems for the horse and management problems for owner. Certain principles of natural horsemanship can be applied to choosing a proper feeding program for the horse. Just as we studied aspects of horse physiology and psychology when approaching training[..]

-- End Ad Box ---> Ever wondered what the Australian Saddle was, or how different it is from the typical Western or English riding saddles? In this article, you will learn the main features that distinguish the Australian Saddle from the other riding saddles, the similarities it shares, the origin of this great piece of work and the uniqueness of it amongst its much competition. The popularity of the Australian Stock Saddle came about right after the release of the movie, "The Man from Snowy River" in 1982. This great movie has one of the best horseback riding scenes as far as time can tell, and all of its riding was done on Australian saddles. The news of this saddle type soon spread[..]

tle Background Vego (Thoroughbred/Percheron gelding) is about 2 years old. I have spent many hours doing ground work with him. He knows how to move away from pressure, lounge, back up, jump over logs, etc. When I bought Vego he was 4 months old and had never been touched by humans. So, I spent a significant amount of time getting to know him and of course on groundwork. In additions I spent a portion of every training session getting him used to loud sounds, plastic bags, walking over tarps, crossing water, crazy humans jumping up and down beside him and of course wearing a saddle. About 2 weeks before I decided to ride Vego I did two things. First, I would have him wear a saddle during[..]

Although the name refers to a very specific country, English riding is a form of horseback riding that is seen all over the world. There are many different variations of English riding, but you'll find that there are certain factors that unify it into a style that is immediately recognizable from Western riding, which is another style of horseback riding that is often seen. When you are looking at English riding, you'll find that some things will immediately let you know what you are looking at. When you are looking at English riding, you'll find that an English saddle will be used, no matter what the horse is doing. The English saddle is quite flat, without the deep seat that is[..]

Riding in Europe and the States has afforded me plenty of opportunity to determine what separates a good instructor from a bad one. Riding lessons are not cheap. You, the student, are entitled to be happy with the caliber of instruction you receive and the rate of progress you are making. A good way to find out whether an instructor possesses the following key qualities is to watch his or her lessons and talk to existing pupils. Competence We all know the saying "those who can, do, and those who can't, teach." But horse riding is one of those disciplines where an instructor who rides well inspires more confidence than one who doesn't. Not all good riders make good trainers, but every[..]

Going to horse shows, the equestrian show jumping event is one of the most popular attractions. The team work between horse and man, the physical challenges of overcoming obstacles, the pressures of a timed event, make show jumping a truly marvelous spectacle to watch. In a show jumping course, there are five different types of jumps to overcome: -verticals -spreads -combinations -walls -water jumps Prior to the event, the riders will study the course to determine the best strategy to tackle it. They calculate how many strides between each jump and the tightest line to take in order to save time. However, it is usually best to go over the allotted time than to be assessed penalties.[..]

Some names are just so familiar to our country's punters, they really don't need an introduction. One of those names is premier Australian horse trainer John Hawkes. John Hawkes began his training career during the 1971-1972 racing season in Adelaide. But his story really begins when he began working for the Ingham family in 1992. He moved to Melbourne from Sydney when offered the top job by the 'chicken kings' Jack and Bob Ingham. Hawkes was in charge of stables in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. The Hawkes and Inghams' partnership became a long and successful association that did not end until 2007 when he chose to begin his own training operation. The working relationship[..]

If you have never learnt to ride then choosing a riding school for your child can seem complicated. First and foremost, your primary focus must be on finding somewhere safe. Horses are animals and therefore unpredictable. If you are naturally wary of horses then this will be an advantage when selecting a safe and secure environment for your budding equestrian to flourish. Step One - Finding A Riding School It is always worth asking other parents if they know of a riding school they would recommend. Should their suggestion pass all the other criteria then you may find that travelling to and from the stables can be shared, or at the very least you will have someone to talk to during the[..]

Having a horse is a pleasure-oriented activity and, because of that, people who own a horse may know all the legal matters that could be involved with horse ownership. Horse law states that a horse needs medical treatment and vaccines at regular intervals as well as insurance coverage. Horse insurance will mainly protect the horse owner against liability and damage. Most insurance companies will cover a claim related to a horse in the ratio of 80/20. Because horses are high maintenance critters that require special insurance coverage, there are several laws specific to equine legal issues. Catanese &Wells is the most prominent equine law firm and has served the horse industry for[..]

The School (or arena) is the perfect place to safely exercise and train your horse. There are many factors involved with the construction, layout and position of the school that can alter determine how useful the school can become. Whether deciding to build an equestrian riding school / arena or whether choosing if the arena on your yard is suitable for what you want to do in it, there are factors that should be considered. Is the schools surface suitable for the riding or exercise you have planned? -Different disciplines or exercises will require different surface depths. -Too deep can strain the tendons of the horses legs or too shallow will not provide the horse with enough cushioning[..]

When Christopher Columbus landed in the New World in 1492, he found a continent without horses.  After returning to Spain, upon his return to the Americas, he brought back mares and stallions from Andalusia and Cordela.  These horses were a mixture of Andalusian, Barb, and the now-extinct Spanish Jennet.  The resulting offspring of this mixture was a horse with a very smooth and comfortable gait suitable for the varied terrains of the New World.  Because of a trait contributed by the Jennet, of passing the most desirable characteristics along to its offspring, the horse quickly became favored by the Conquistadors.  This was the founding stock of the Paso Fino breed.  The breed[..]

You've loved horses ever since you were a kid and have always dreamed of owning one. You've spent the last three years taking horseback riding lessons. You know how to tack up, muck out, and have read just about every book out there on the care and feeding of horses. No one can doubt that you've put your time in. Horses are no fleeting fancy, but are a hobby that is here to stay! So, are you ready to buy your first horse? Well, before you break out your checkbook you need to take stock of a few things in your life to determine whether horse ownership is right for you.o Do you have the knowledge? How much time have you really spent around horses, and has it been hands-on? If you ride at a[..]

If you need something to calm your horse that is not a strong sedative, look for natural products which can calm without making them seem lethargic or slow. Natural products can reduce anxiety and skittishness without making your horse drowsy. They can reduce irritability and improve their disposition, help them to relax, concentrate, perform better in competition, adjust to a new home or surroundings and are safe for nursing, pregnant mares and foals. A horse can develop anxiety, suffer a lack of confidence in the rider or have been in a traumatic situation with another owner, all of which can cause him to develop a nervous or skittish demeanor. They can panic when being led into a[..]

Horses have been domesticated by man for many thousands of years, and people have rode on horse back for at least 6,500 years (there is evidence that people in what is today the Ukraine were riding horses as early as 4500 BCE). Before the advent of motor vehicles, horses were the main means of transport, both for pulling loads and for riding. Even today, horse transport remains important in some parts of the world, and for some applications. For example, horses are still widely used for ranching, and for travel in rougher terrain. Historically horses were also important for military - we've all heard about horse-back archers, knights, and cavalry. Nowadays although horses are still be[..]

There are many different types of horse supplies and equipment that can be purchased for a number of reasons and uses. When you go to make your purchased, you will be faced with a wide variety of options, so knowing what you need before hand is very important. This can be especially relevant if you are planning to spend a lot of money on your horse equipment, and it can definitely turn quite costly. Still, even with all the options available to you, you may find yourself wishing to purchase horse supplies and equipment that will meet your vast equine needs, and this is where custom horse equipment can serve you well. Whether you are planning to ride your horse on your own property, on[..]

Spring has officially sprung, and that means two things to horse show addicts: horse and travel. Unless you live at the center of a major show circuit, chances are that if you want to compete with your horse this year, you are going to have to travel. Depending on your equine friend, the combination of horse and travel is either a piece of cake or a complete horror story. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to get your horse ready for show season and travel. In this newsletter, we cover numerous products for the various situations you might encounter during the season. You probably won't need all of these remedies and supplements, but this newsletter might serve as a "just[..]

Buying A Polo Pony   There’s no one breed that’s known as a “polo pony”, but many that make fine polo ponies.   What makes a good polo pony?  You want a horse that’s strong and can run all day.  It needs speed and great balance.  It’s an alert horse with bright eyes, elastic skin, and a coat that’s lustrous.  It needs to be a bold type of horse also, yet still able to be managed and trained, since polo is a sport that requires quick reflexes and the ability to be controlled.  Although any type of horse might be a great candidate, some horses are better suited for polo than others.  The most popular is the Argentina polo pony, also known as the Criollo.  That’s[..]

If you have a child who loves horses you are not alone. That is excellent to know when it comes to planning a party with a horse theme as they are very popular with both girls and boys. There are so many decorations, party games, and cake decorations out there that incorporate a them into the theme. If you are ready to jump in the saddle and start planning a party read on. You'll find out what you need to know to get a yippee from your party-goers. Decorations You will have a wide variety of horse decorations to choose from for your party. There are horse cut-outs to place on walls, stand ups to put on tables as centerpieces, and Mylar balloons. The horse themed plates, napkins, and cups[..]

Horse racing is as old as humans have had domesticated horses. Horse tracks became the norm beginning in the early 1700s in England. Match races were being replaced with races featuring several horses at one time that spectators could bet on. In a very short time, tracks were built all over England, offering larger purses as the prize. This made it profitable to breed horses strictly for racing. In 1750, the Jockey Club was formed to control this burgeoning new sport. The new Jockey Club created racing rules, sanctioned horse tracks and set up race designations. They also began to regulate horse breeding. A General Stud Book was begun to trace the pedigrees of every race horse in[..]

Karen Wilson, a member of Sisters in Crime mystery writers, is the author of "For Just Claws" and "Coyote Kill," first and second installments in the Carol Ward mystery series. Karen uses the experience she gained showing Quarter Horses in hunt seat and dressage, and her journalism background, to create the realistic world of her mystery novels. She lives in southeastern Michigan with her husband, two horses and eight cats. Tyler: Welcome, Karen. I'm glad you could join me today. To begin, will you tell us a little bit about your heroine, Carol Ward? I understand she is an amateur sleuth. Karen: She doesn't specifically start out to be an amateur sleuth, but she is a chain-reaction-type[..]

Team roping has been a successful event with the Americans. It is a battle of the best cowboys and girls who have the skills of team roping. Team roping is a popular rodeo event mostly played by cowboys and cowgirls. This is the only rodeo event which allows men and women to compete equally even with mixed gender team members. It is also called as heading and heeling. Basically, a team is composed of two players-the header and the heeler. The header is the one who ropes the steer either on the neck or horns while the heeler is the one to rope the steer behind the legs. This rodeo event was a technique developed by cowboys working in ranches. They used the technique in order to capture[..]